Meghan Markle will always have Serena Williams in her corner. On Thursday (November 7), the 38-year-old tennis star praised her royal BFF during an interview with Access Hollywood. Williams praised the Duchess, calling Meghan the "strongest person" as she battles the U.K. tabloid media.

“I just really think she’s the strongest — literally the strongest — person I know and the nicest [and] sweetest,” Williams said of the Duchess. She pointed to Meghan's recent trip to New York City to support Williams as she competed in the U.S. Open women's final as an example of her supportive friendship. “She flew all the way with a newborn to see me play in New York and flew all the way back that night, and I probably couldn’t have done that."

Williams told Access that Meghan's trip “kinda goes to show you what an amazing person she is. And that’s just one of the many things that she does for me." Williams then listed all the ways the Duchess supports her, even with an ocean between them. “I call her, text her anytime, crying, upset — she’s always there. Doesn’t matter what she’s going through, she just sets time away, and she’s just so amazing," Williams said.

This isn't the first time Williams has glowingly spoken about her BFF. "Just having her in general as a friend is great," Williams said after her U.S. Open loss. "She's such a great friend and a great person as well, and always positive, no matter what. So it's so good to have people like that just to know."

These two are so close William even footed the bill for Meghan's glamorous NYC baby shower last year. The celebration reportedly cost a cool $200k, including $75k-a-night stay at the penthouse suite at The Mark hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Williams helped plan the whole thing, as well, according to Vanity Fair.